Disaster Psychology

Your Emotional Needs

After a disaster everyone is picking up the pieces and trying to get life back to normal as soon as possible. It is important to be aware of your emotional needs as well. Be aware, disaster may cause highly emotional responses among family members. Normal responses may include:

Anxiety, restlessness, irritability, fear

Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Disorientation

Fatigue

Numbness, apathy, or depression

Sleep disturbance

Prepare

You can reduce the emotional impact of a disaster by being prepared. Practice your evacuation plans. Make sure your supplies are in order and emergency contact information is up to date. You can’t take away the feeling of shock after a disaster, but you can reduce the feeling that everything is out of control. For additional information, please view our Emergency Preparedness webpage.

Respond

After you and your family are out of danger, sit down together and collect yourselves. Limit family discussion to today's needs. Avoid discussions of long-term issues of recovering from the disaster.

Mental Health Survival Tips

Accept help from others

Don’t stay by yourself if you can avoid it

Notice positives; don’t blame

Stay calm and assured

Talk about your feelings

For Your Long-Term Adjustment

Allow yourself to cry

Avoid excessive alcohol / drugs

Get some exercise

Seek counseling if you continue to feel depressed, anxious, or debilitated